And Then Death Held Out His Hand

School

The light shines in my eyes as Evie opens the curtains with a flourish. "You don't want to be late for school." She says in a sing song voice over top of my groans of protest. I feel shaky, like I did on my first day of high school. But this is worse.
I just know people are going to tease me for my lack of hair. Evie breaks my thoughts by throwing a pair of jeans and a red shirt.

The hot water of the shower pounds onto my head and shoulders. I turn it to burning hot, trying to wash away the butterflies in my stomach. It's not working. My hand trembles as I do my makeup, as visions of the school halls filled with whispering come to my mind.
"Come on Stell, we've got to go." I groan as she pound on the door.
"Coming."
My bag weighs down on my already aching shoulders, the memory of homework flitting on the edge of my mind.
The outside of the school is crowded with teenagers who turn their heads as I approach the gates. Whispers start to grow louder and I feel a hand grip mine and drag me into the familiar building.
"Stella! I haven't seen you in ages." Christina wraps me in a hug and for once, I don't wriggle out of her grasp.
We link arms and walk to our lockers. I spin the lock to the familiar code any grab the necessary textbooks. Great.
First up:history.
The bell goes and we hurry to class before the crowd of students flood the hallways. We grab seats next to one another and I drag mine closer to Christine's. My hands shake as the rest of the class file in chattering. I feel the stares through the back of my head and I have to resist the urge to run.

The teacher, Mrs Peters walks in and scans the room. Seeing me, she walks to my desk and bends down so she's level with me.
"If there's anything you need, I'm here. By the way, welcome back, we missed you."
I force myself to look her in the eye and smile.
She walks back to the front and turns, causing the class to fall silent. "Okay guys, open your textbooks to page 394 and read the next three chapters."
I bend my head over my book and try to focus on the pages full of words. My phone vibrates in my pocket and I glance up to see everyone quiet and focused. I pull it out and check it under the desk. It's Jacob.
Jacob: are you okay?
Yeah. At least I could be worse. I reply and try to concentrate. I've only read one chapter when the bell goes and there's a rush for the door.
The next class is the same, sympathy from the teachers and whispering from the students.
At lunch, the cafeteria is full, making me want to skip lunch. Christina and I sit together in the room full of kids shouting. I can feel people looking at me but I focus on my food. I flinch when someone slides in beside me but relax when I see it's Jacob.
I can feel Christine's eyes darting between our faces. "Is this...."
I nod and she grins, having heard all about our date. And with that, I forget all about the stares and focus on the people who I want to be with. I don't care what the others say, they don't know what happened. That I nearly died.

The bell goes and I reluctantly let go of Jacobs hand. "I'll meet you after school, I can drive you home."
"Great."
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"He's so hot!" Christine gushes as we approach Jacob, who's leaning against his red car. I blush, and struggle not to go on forever about his good looks.
"Hey."
Jacob touches his lips gently to mine and I feel the stares linger on us. This time I don't mind.
By the time I reach home, I decide I like school. Or at least some parts.